March 2, 2009 IT'S OFFICIAL Red Bulls trade Leitch to Quakes
Chris Leitch has been traded to the San Jose Earthquakes. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
The Red Bulls traded right fullback Chris Leitch to the San Jose Earthquakes for an undisclosed sum of money allocation and one of its eight international spots.
Leitch was made expendable by the play of rookie Jeremy Hall, who has been impressive at Red Bulls training camp in Argentina. A midfielder at the University of Maryland, Hall has impressed coach Juan Carlos Osorio after he was moved to right back.
Letich became the third starter from the MLS Cup final to leave the team, joining defender Diego Jimenez (returned to his Mexican club) and midfielder Dave van den Bergh.
“This move gives us more roster flexibility as we prepare for the start of the MLS season,” Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos said in a statement. “Chris has been a consummate professional during his time in New York and we wish him the best of luck in San Jose.”
The Columbus, Ohio native is expected to join the the Quakes later this week.
Leitch, who turns 30 on April 1, has been with MetroStars and Red Bulls twice since 2003. He played with the Columbus Crew in 2002 and joined the MetroStars for three seasons (2003-2005) before returning to the Crew in 2006. He came back to the New York/New Jersey area for the 2007 season.
